Personal cleaning composition

ABSTRACT

A packaged cleaning composition comprising a surfactant, an aqueous acid component and an aqueous alkaline component, the acid and alkali components being provided in separate compartments within the package. On dispensing from the package the acid and alkali react together creating carbon dioxide gas which acts upon the surfactant to create a lather. The acid component is buffered to a pH ranging from 2 to 6.5

[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning composition and more particularly, but not exclusively to a personal cleaning composition, that produces an instantaneous lather on exit from its packaging.

[0002] It is of course known that instantaneous lather can be obtained from cleaning compositions stored in aerosol containers. The release of such compositions from an aerosol together with a propellant creates foam ready for immediate use. However, aerosol-based compositions are expensive and furthermore carry the risk that the propellant gas is flammable.

[0003] EP 0745665A discloses an instantly foaming system without the use of an aerosol container. Here a two-phase aqueous system is employed whereby, when the two phases are combined together, a gas is generated which acts upon the surfactant in the system to produce lather. Typically, the reactive component in one phase is citric acid and in the other is sodium bicarbonate. As the acidic phase employed in this prior art system is of low pH, if dispensed separately or in excess, it is likely to cause irritation when in contact with the skin. This restricts the potential end use of this technology, making it less suitable for facial washing and for use on sensitive skin.

[0004] The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem.

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a cleaning composition provided in a package, wherein the cleaning composition comprises at least one surfactant, a first aqueous acidic component and a second aqueous alkaline component, the first and second components being located in separate compartments within the package prior to being dispensed therefrom, whereby when the first and second components are combined together before or after dispensing, carbon dioxide gas is generated which acts on said surfactant to create a lather, characterised in that the first acidic component further comprises a buffer such that the pH of the first component is in the range from 2 to 6.5.

[0006] The use of the buffering system in the acid phase limits the potential for skin irritation by bringing the pH of the first component from 1 to 9 up to 2 to 6.5. The pH of the first component is preferably buffered in the range from 3 to 6 and ideally in the range from 1 to 5. This pH is much more acceptable for the skin and is in line with the normal acid mantle of the skin.

[0007] The first component preferably, but not exclusively, comprises an alpha hydroxy acid in combination with a salt thereof. Most preferred is citric acid in combination with a citrate, preferably sodium citrate. Other suitable acids include mineral and/or organic acids such as malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid and tartaric acid. The second component comprises a carbonate or bicarbonate. Although sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate may be used; ideally the second component comprises potassium bicarbonate. Potassium bicarbonate is over twice as soluble as sodium bicarbonate. This allows much higher levels to be used and therefore allows a much higher amount of gas to be generated which means that foam is generated in higher quantities and can be of higher viscosity. As a key consumer driver for products of this type is the amount and speed of lather production the use of potassium bicarbonate yields significant advantages. These acid and basic components not only combine to generate carbon dioxide but they may also contribute to the buffering of the composition.

[0008] The acid shall constitute from 1% to 20% by weight of the first component.

[0009] The carbonate or bicarbonate shall preferably constitute from 1% to 25% by weight of the second component.

[0010] The surfactant or surfactants can be included with one or other component or may be kept separate and combined with the mixture of the two components when they are dispensed. The term surfactant as used herein could include soap.

[0011] The surfactant system chosen for this system may comprise, alone or in combination, any non-ionic, amphoteric, anionic, or cationic surfactant.

[0012] It is a preferred feature of this invention that the surfactant comprises any of the following either alone or in combination:—alkyl polyglucoside (APG) (non-ionic) and cocamidopropyl betaine (amphoteric). Any non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants, alone or in combination, would be preferred, but alkyl polyglucosides are noted for their exceptionally high foaming performance. Other examples of amphoteric surfactants which could be used include amphoacetates (e.g. cocoamphoacetate) and amphopropionates (e.g. sodium cocoamphopropionate). Other examples of non-ionic surfactants which could be used include fatty alcohol ethoxylates (e.g. laureth-4), fatty acid alkanolamides (e.g. cocamide DEA) and amine oxides (e.g. alkyl dimethyl amine oxide). This list is not exhaustive and does not preclude the use of other amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants nor does it preclude the use of anionic and cationic surfactants.

[0013] The surfactant shall preferably constitute from 1% to 30% by weight of the total composition and more preferably from 5% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0014] That said the amount of surfactant is chosen having regard to the intended purpose of the cleaning composition. Where the composition is intended to be a shower gel it shall preferably comprise from 2.5% to 30% by weight of at least one surfactant.

[0015] Where the composition is intended to be a shaving cream it shall preferably comprise from 2.5% to 30% by weight of at least one surfactant.

[0016] Where the composition is intended to be a fabric cleaner it shall preferably comprise from 2.5% to 40% by weight of at least one surfactant.

[0017] The composition of the invention may include other additives which are usually included in cleaning compositions, for example any of the following either alone or in combination:—colourants, preservatives, anti-bacterial agents, skin conditioning agents, thickeners, fragrance and the like. These additional ingredients may be included with one or other component as may be found appropriate.

[0018] The invention is not restricted to the specific embodiments just described, nor is it restricted to facial cleaners or shower gels. Compositions according to the invention may be used for other cleaning uses including shaving creams, hand washes, fabric cleaners and hard surface cleaners.

[0019] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0020] Two components of a light foaming facial cleanser were formulated as follows:

[0021] Component A INGREDIENTS % w/w Deinoised Water to 100% Citric Acid Monohydrate 7.0% Trisodium Citrate 16.5% Decyl Glucoside 2.5% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 2.5% Preservative q.s. Colour q.s. Fragrance q.s.

[0022] Component B INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Potassium Bicarbonate 20.0% Decyl Glucoside 2.5% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 2.5% Preservative q.s. Colour q.s. Fragrance q.s.

Example 2

[0023] Two components of an instant lathering shower gel were formulated as follows:

[0024] Component A INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Citric Acid Monohydrate 7.0% Trisodium Citrate 16.0% Lauryl Glucoside 10.0% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 10.0% Preservative q.s. Colour q.s. Fragrance q.s.

[0025] Component B INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Potassium Bicarbonate 20.0% Lauryl Glucoside 10.0% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 10.0% Preservative q.s. Colour q.s. Fragrance q.s.

Example 3

[0026] Component A INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 15.0% Citric Acid Monohydrate  7.0% Trisodium Citrate 16.8% Solubiliser 1.00% Fragrance q.s. Colour q.s. Preservative q.s.

[0027] Component B INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Decyl Glucoside 15.0% Potassium Bicarbonate 15.0% Solubiliser 1.0% Preservative q.s. Fragrance q.s. Colour q.s.

Example 4

[0028] Component A INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Cocamidopropyl Betaine  15% Citric Acid Monohydrate 7.0% Trisodium Citrate 17.0%  Solubiliser 1.0% Preservative q.s. Fragrance q.s. Thickner q.s. Colour q.s.

[0029] Component B INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Decyl Glucoside   15% Potassium Bicarbonate 15.00%  Solubiliser 1.00% Preservative q.s. Fragrance q.s. Thickener q.s. Colour q.s.

Example 5

[0030] Component A INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Sodium Laureth Sulfate 10.0% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 2.5% Citric Acid Monohydrate 7.0% Trisodium Citrate 17.0% Solubiliser 1.0% Preservative q.s. Fragrance q.s Thickner q.s. Colour q.s.

[0031] Component B INGREDIENTS % w/w Deionised Water to 100% Decyl Glucoside   15% Potassium Bicarbonate 15.00%  Solubiliser 1.00% Preservative q.s. Fragrance q.s. Thickener q.s. Colour q.s.

[0032] The present invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0033]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of one type of a package suitable for use with the cleaning composition described herein;

[0034]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a second type of package suitable for use with the cleaning composition described herein;

[0035]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a third type of package suitable for use with the cleaning composition described herein.

[0036] In each example the components were charged into separate compartments 12, 14, within a flexible container 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. Each compartment has an outlet leading to a common nozzle 16 which can be closed by a cap not shown. When the container was compressed the contents of both compartments were dispensed through the nozzle. A reaction between the acid and the bicarbonate immediately occurred releasing carbon dioxide gas which in turn created neutral, dense, creamy foam.

[0037] The invention is not restricted to the specific embodiments just described, nor is it restricted to facial cleaners or shower gels. Compositions according to the invention may be used, for example, for other cleaning uses including shaving creams, fabric cleaners and hard surface cleaners.

[0038] Other types of package can be used with the composition of the invention. For example as shown in FIG. 2 a container 20 having two compartments 22, 24 has a pump action spray 26 mounted on the top thereof with dip tubes 28, 30 extending into the compartments of the container. This kind of package is known for use in connection with a concentrated substance in one compartment and a diluted in the other whereby the mixture that is dispensed is diluted concentrate.

[0039] Another type of package that can be used with the composition of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 and comprises a container 32 having two compartments 34, 36. A cap 38 reciprocally movable is indicated by arrows 40 which action pumps the contents of the compartments into outlets 42, 44. The compartment outlets merge together to form a common outlet 46. This type of package is also known but for keeping two ingredients of a cosmetic separate until they are dispensed for use in order to prevent one ingredient which is an emulsion being broken by the other ingredient.

[0040] The examples and packages described herein are by way of illustration only. 

1. A cleaning composition provided in a package, wherein the cleaning composition comprises at least one surfactant, a first aqueous acidic component and a second aqueous alkaline component, the first and second components being located in separate compartments within the package prior to being dispensed therefrom, whereby when the first and second components are combined together before or after dispensing, carbon dioxide gas is generated which acts on said surfactant to create a lather, characterised in that the first acidic component further comprises a buffer such that the pH of the first component is in the range from 2 to 6.5.
 2. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the first component is buffered in the range from 3 to
 6. 3. A cleaning composition according to claim 2, wherein the pH of the first component is buffered in the range from 4 to
 5. 4. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises an alpha hydroxy acid in combination with a salt thereof.
 5. A cleaning composition according to claim 4, wherein the alpha hydroxy acid is citric acid and the salt is sodium citrate.
 6. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the acid constitutes from 1% to 20% by weight of the first component.
 7. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the second component comprises a carbonate or bicarbonate.
 8. A cleaning composition according to claim 7 wherein the bicarbonate is potassium bicarbonate.
 9. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein tho carbonate or bicarbonate constitutes from 1% to 25% by weight of the second component.
 10. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, the surfactant comprises any of the following either alone or in combination non-ionic, amphoteric, anionic and cationic surfactants.
 11. A cleaning composition according to claim 10, wherein the non-ionic surfactant comprises any of the following either alone or in combination alkyl polyglucoside, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid alkanolamides and amine oxides and mixtures thereof.
 12. A cleaning composition according to claim 10, wherein suitable amphoteric surfactants include cocoamidopropyl betaine, amphoacetates and amphopriopionates.
 13. A cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises any of the following additional ingredients either alone or in combination:—colourants, preservatives, antibacterial agents, skin conditioning agents, thickeners, and fragrance.
 14. A cleaning composition as hereinbefore described with reference to any of examples 1 to
 5. 